Police department plans gun buyback on Aug. 22

For the second time this year, Daytona Beach police will be offering gift cards for guns with no questions asked.

Daytona Beach Police Public Information Officer James Flynt looks over guns in May turned in during the March against Madnesss event at Hope Fellowship.(PHOTOS BY LANCE ROTHWELL)

The gun surrender will take place on Thursday, Aug. 22 at the Dickerson Community Center, 308 S. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Daytona Beach. The event will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The last gun back took place at Hope Fellowship in May during a March Against Madness event organized by the church’s pastor Bishop Derrick Triplett.

Daytona Beach Police Chief Mike Chitwood said 19 guns were collected.

No names needed
Local law enforcement agencies have brought in more than 300 guns over the past two years through the “Kicks for Guns’’ program.

All residents have to do is show up and drop off their firearm in order to receive a gift card. Gun owners can remain anonymous and still collect a gift card.

The firearms should be unloaded and the safety secured. As a safety precaution, trained officers will retrieve guns from vehicles for gun owners who don’t know if their guns are loaded or are uncomfortable unloading their own weapons.

Fifth year
This is Daytona Beach Police Department’s fifth year of participation in “Kicks for Guns,” an annual program throughout Central Florida where residents can safely dispose of their unwanted firearms in exchange for a gift card, with a value of up to $50, to local businesses including restaurants and retail stores.

Following the 12-hour event, all surrendered guns will be destroyed.

The Kicks for Guns program originated 15 years ago by an Orlando area radio host who was concerned about youths getting robbed for their brand-name sneakers. The program has evolved over the years to offer gas and store gift cards.